Thanks for another excellent, thought-provoking post, Nancy. I have to disagree with the person who suggested that quality of life can only be measured by the people who live in a place. It sounds like he or she was suggesting that only the natives' point of view matters. But as immigrants, we are now living here, experiencing our own realities, and making personal assessments of quality of life. And yes, our reality may be very different from persons who were born and raised here - but in our home countries our situations were also different from others around us. So I think quality of life has be considered from an individual perspective (what's important to me) and from a societal perspective (what do we all enjoy or benefit from). And for those of us new to the country, I think we have an obligation to find ways to contribute to the society. Meus dois cêntimos.
Yes it is safe, but like anywhere else in the world you have to be careful to where you walk through, specially at night because you can bump into a druggie and be robbed.
He will probably only take your money or car but not harm you.
It is a poor country and people struggle but Portuguese people are mainly friendly, accommodating and like to help.
And why should you feel guilty for having more than some? You didn’t rob it. You worked to have it and you probably had more opportunities than others.
And yes, with all the cons, Portugal has a great quality of life. Difficult to find alike in other countries. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.
Well, all I can say is that in the States we were all able to make the choice of where we lived. We were white and were financially comfortable. When I worked in Philly, I was conscious of my surroundings but not fearful. I felt this way even when I lived in West Philly where the apartment below was burgled. Now I live in a "gated" community and I do not feel guilt as much as shame. I am shamed that most of the livable places on my island are communities that lock out other people and cause service providers to purchase an expensive pass just so they can come to our homes and fix our plumbing or deliver a new mattress. It is shame that haunts the "privileged" and not guilt.
Nancy, I agree with many of the other comments. You worked to accumulate what you have and there is no reason you should feel guilty about being somewhere that speaks to your heart. Whether you are an expat or not doesn't affect the obvious quality of life in Portugal. It's not like you are trying to "rule" people because of your "wealth". You are simply living your life. Seeing all the expat remarks in the posts makes me miss living in Germany. So many of the same qualities then too. I'm enjoying your posts. Keep it up.
Nancy, I am happy to all people who have immigrated to Portugal including YOU & Denise. I am ready a great book called a culture Shock - Portugal. The insight it provides about what is important to these people is all about family and values. Money can’t buy that peace and calm this brings to those living in your newly acquired home. Safety and feeling secure is simply icing on the cake.
Hello friend! I’m enjoying your thought provoking posts each week. Having worked with you in Corporate America I know full well that you worked your ass off for many years in order to accumulate the assets that support your expat lifestyle in Portugal. Don’t feel guilty Nancy! You have earned every moment of happiness you and Denise are now enjoying. ❤️
Hi Nancy, I’m a bit confused about your remark about no tax because of NHR. We are D7 holders living in Cascais and our SEF appointments are 8n two weeks. From what we understood 2021 new residents will have a 10 percent income tax rate under NHR. Is that true?
The entire purpose of your posts are to inform readers of “your” experiences from your point of view. Quality of life from your point of view is the only experience you can truly speak of, unless you have become the spokesperson for the entire Portuguese population. Tell your commentator to go smoke some rocks, and keep doing your thing…:)
Perhaps your stage of life is a very important factor. Would you have felt this way when you were building your career? Perhaps this says more about you than about Portugal. I enjoy your comments and photos so much.
Don't feel guilty. Your happiness is paramount. I live in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the most dysfunctional countries around. I live off my pension and also support the extended family of my wife (to an extent). I identify with a lot you write about. I wouldn't live anywhere else than where I am now. Return to the UK? Never! There are things in life that money can't buy one of those is happiness. Enjoying your posts very much.
Thanks for another excellent, thought-provoking post, Nancy. I have to disagree with the person who suggested that quality of life can only be measured by the people who live in a place. It sounds like he or she was suggesting that only the natives' point of view matters. But as immigrants, we are now living here, experiencing our own realities, and making personal assessments of quality of life. And yes, our reality may be very different from persons who were born and raised here - but in our home countries our situations were also different from others around us. So I think quality of life has be considered from an individual perspective (what's important to me) and from a societal perspective (what do we all enjoy or benefit from). And for those of us new to the country, I think we have an obligation to find ways to contribute to the society. Meus dois cêntimos.
Yes it is safe, but like anywhere else in the world you have to be careful to where you walk through, specially at night because you can bump into a druggie and be robbed.
He will probably only take your money or car but not harm you.
It is a poor country and people struggle but Portuguese people are mainly friendly, accommodating and like to help.
And why should you feel guilty for having more than some? You didn’t rob it. You worked to have it and you probably had more opportunities than others.
And yes, with all the cons, Portugal has a great quality of life. Difficult to find alike in other countries. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.
Well, all I can say is that in the States we were all able to make the choice of where we lived. We were white and were financially comfortable. When I worked in Philly, I was conscious of my surroundings but not fearful. I felt this way even when I lived in West Philly where the apartment below was burgled. Now I live in a "gated" community and I do not feel guilt as much as shame. I am shamed that most of the livable places on my island are communities that lock out other people and cause service providers to purchase an expensive pass just so they can come to our homes and fix our plumbing or deliver a new mattress. It is shame that haunts the "privileged" and not guilt.
Nancy, I agree with many of the other comments. You worked to accumulate what you have and there is no reason you should feel guilty about being somewhere that speaks to your heart. Whether you are an expat or not doesn't affect the obvious quality of life in Portugal. It's not like you are trying to "rule" people because of your "wealth". You are simply living your life. Seeing all the expat remarks in the posts makes me miss living in Germany. So many of the same qualities then too. I'm enjoying your posts. Keep it up.
Nancy, I am happy to all people who have immigrated to Portugal including YOU & Denise. I am ready a great book called a culture Shock - Portugal. The insight it provides about what is important to these people is all about family and values. Money can’t buy that peace and calm this brings to those living in your newly acquired home. Safety and feeling secure is simply icing on the cake.
Hello friend! I’m enjoying your thought provoking posts each week. Having worked with you in Corporate America I know full well that you worked your ass off for many years in order to accumulate the assets that support your expat lifestyle in Portugal. Don’t feel guilty Nancy! You have earned every moment of happiness you and Denise are now enjoying. ❤️
https://fiduce.fr/credit-immobilier-portugal/
Hi Nancy, I’m a bit confused about your remark about no tax because of NHR. We are D7 holders living in Cascais and our SEF appointments are 8n two weeks. From what we understood 2021 new residents will have a 10 percent income tax rate under NHR. Is that true?
The entire purpose of your posts are to inform readers of “your” experiences from your point of view. Quality of life from your point of view is the only experience you can truly speak of, unless you have become the spokesperson for the entire Portuguese population. Tell your commentator to go smoke some rocks, and keep doing your thing…:)
Perhaps your stage of life is a very important factor. Would you have felt this way when you were building your career? Perhaps this says more about you than about Portugal. I enjoy your comments and photos so much.
Don't feel guilty. Your happiness is paramount. I live in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the most dysfunctional countries around. I live off my pension and also support the extended family of my wife (to an extent). I identify with a lot you write about. I wouldn't live anywhere else than where I am now. Return to the UK? Never! There are things in life that money can't buy one of those is happiness. Enjoying your posts very much.